Happy new year Dear Readers!
Last summer I told you about English camp, a one or two week special program most public school English teachers must plan for and teach once a semester. I had mentioned that my favourite camp of all was Harry Potter themed and I had hoped to do it again. Well, I did! This year I turned the camp into a Harry Potter drama camp, where I wrote a five-act play that comprised of 14 characters, 8 different scene backdrops and costumes too! Our play was based on the second Harry Potter book, The Chamber of Secrets.
I must say, my kiddies made me proud. We had two groups: one comprised of all grade 3 students and one with a mix of grades 3-5. This camp was also the biggest I’ve ever taught, with a headcount of 34 kids compared to the usual 20. The first couple of days we made our magic wands, reviewed the script and held auditions for the cast.
Table reading with our actors.
Making wands.
We even had a basilisk! (That’s a magical creature – a super serpent if you will.)
The fight scene between Harry and the basilisk (Ginny Weasley is on the floor.)
The basilisk death scene. So dramatic.
The following two days were all about practicing lines, stage positions and making the scene backdrops. Both groups got really into designing the set and many wanted to get into costume before starting their creative process. It was too cute.
Headmaster Dumbledore and Hagrid.
Dobby the house elf.
Background scenes in the making!
The last day of camp we invited parents to come and watch our final presentation and they did a fantastic job! Most students memorized all of their lines, no scripts needed. Both groups were super pumped once the play was finished. They all clambered on stage for some group photos and bowed to the audience in true theatre fashion.
Final practice before heading to the auditorium.
Final performance for group A.
Final performance for group B.
And just like that, my final camp was over. As the last kids ran off I was left holding 9 wizard capes, 4 wizard hats, 2 beards and a pair of glasses in my arms wondering where the time went. I must confess I had doubts about this camp. I’ve had failed camps before and I worried that a camp based on so much reading would intimidate the younger students who were not strong readers. Despite my concerns they all stepped up to the challenge and nailed it! I was one proud teacher that day and also a little sad that the fun was over.
If camp planning could be a job, I would probably do it. I’ve gotten pretty good at it and I really enjoy the change of atmosphere compared to regular class time.
I’ll be on holidays starting Monday so I’ll be in Cambodia, then to Myanmar over the next 3 weeks. You may not see much action on karliinkorea.com but I’ll be posting pics on my facebook page so look me up and like my page to follow the adventures!
To read my previous article on English camps, click here:
Making learning not feel like learning is what all the cool teachers do.
These kids will remember that forever.
Great job, K! you should be proud. xxx
Hey Karluch!
What an exciting time for the Kids and for you!
Obviously they had a ball getting ready for the presentation and you unearthed creativity that some of the kids possibly were unaware they had in their bag of tricks.
Enjoy yourself in the faraway lands and have an eye for those losers in your travels who would have you believe nickels are made from wood. They ain’t.
cheers and love youse a tonne and four ounces .
nana and gramp xxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooo